For your assignment you need to select one illegal drug (i.e., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, etc.), and compare and contrast two different websites that give information about that drug. You first need to compare the information on each site. Then you need to critically analyze the information on each site in terms of its validity and objectivity. In order to do that you should address the following points in your comparison. •
What is the purpose and affiliation of the organization or author of the website? •
What are the author’s credentials?
• Is the information current?
When was the information last updated?
• Does the source contain bias without evidence to back up the claims?
Finally, you need to discuss which website you find more credible and why. One good way to justify your choice is to cross-reference the information on the websites with another type of source that is known to be credible – such as a peer reviewed journal article that you found on an academic database at the John Jay Library. Generally, peer reviewed articles are considered more credible because they have been checked for validity issues prior to being published.
